Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device, in particular an exercise device that can be attached to a conventional walker so that the user can operate it while supporting himself with the walker. The device features a base bar that can be attached to at least two legs of a walker and also attached to a second cross bar fit with support rollers, such as pulleys. A cable extends substantially the length of the cross bar, hangs down near the ends of the cross bar, and is disposed on the rollers. On one hanging end of the cable is attached a weight or similar resistance mechanism and on the other end is attached a stirrup or the like suitable for insertion of the user's limb. The height of the stirrup can be adjusted for various exercises and the user can exercise by moving his inserted limb against the resistance.

1. An exercise device for facilitating limb movement by the user of a walker having two inverted U-shaped legs, comprising:
 a cross bar having a length and first and second ends; 
 a cable support system operatively associated with said cross bar, including a cable spanning the length of said cross bar, and having first and second ends, the first end of the cable extending from the first end of the crossbar; 
 a resistance member operatively engaged with the cable support system and positioned proximate said second end of the cable, the resistance member comprising at least one stretchable band disposed on at least one slidable catch panel and at least one selectively stationary catch, said slidable catch panel being longitudinally spaced from said selectively stationary catch; 
 a stirrup capable of receiving a limb to be exercised attached to said first end of the cable; and 
 a connector having arms for engaging the legs of a walker. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a base bar that extends transversely to the cross bar from a first end to a second end. 
     
     
       3. The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein said connector comprises a connection member disposed between and attachable to both said cross bar and base bar. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3 , wherein said base bar is engageable with two adjacent legs of said walker. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cross bar is selectively rotatable about a vertical axis passing through said connection member. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resting height of said stirrup is adjustable. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the degree of resistance delivered by said resistance member is adjustable. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one slidable catch panel further comprises a guide member. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the cable adjacent the second end of the cable is engaged with said guide member so that when the first end of the cable is pulled said portion of the cable and said at least one slidable catch panel move in a direction away from the resistance member. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the degree of resistance can be increased or decreased by selectively increasing or decreasing the longitudinal spacing between said at least one slidable catch panel and said at least one selectively stationary catch. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the degree of resistance can be altered by substituting different stretchable bands. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , comprising a stopper mechanism located on the first end of said cable between said stirrup and said first end of the cross bar. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the location of said stopper mechanism along said cable is adjustable. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross bar is a U-bar defining a U-shaped channel and the cable support system comprises at least two guide members disposed within said U-shaped channel, whereby said cable is disposed on said guide members and said guide members facilitate lateral movement of the cable. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connection member spans at least the length of and surrounds said resistance member on at least three sides. 
     
     
       16. An exercise device for facilitating limb movement by the user of a walker having two inverted U-shaped legs, comprising:
 a cross bar having a length and first and second ends; 
 a cable support system operatively associated with said cross bar, including a cable spanning the length of said cross bar, and having said first end extending from the first end of the crossbar; 
 a resistance member attached to said second end of the cable; 
 a stirrup capable of receiving a limb to be exercised attached to said first end of the cable; and 
 a connection unit for rigidly connecting the exercise device to a walker, the connection unit comprising
 a base bar that extends transversely to the cross bar from a first end to a second end; 
 a connection member disposed between and attachable to both said cross bar and base bar; and 
 a support unit rigidly attached to said connection member between, the base bar and the cross bar, said support unit defining a bottom surface engagable with one of the inverted U-shaped legs of said walker. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the resistance member is a weight. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 16 , comprising a stopper mechanism located on the first end of said cable between said stirrup and said first end of the cross bar. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the connection member spans at least the length of and surrounds said resistance member on at least three sides. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the degree of resistance is adjustable.